WATCH: Climate researcher explains why scientific results have become polarized

From PBS NewsHour.

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Miriam Nielsen, a climate researcher and video creator, said what people perceive as polarization in science is actually the result of massive lobbying campaigns designed to protect corporations’ financial interests.

“What you’re seeing as polarization in science is purely these moneyed interests whose entire job it is to make you question [what] the scientific conclusions are trying to tell you,” Nielsen said.

To combat those interests, science communicators need more money to rebut false claims, she said.

“The problem is who has money to make the stuff to speak the loudest. And ideally we could turn that funnel of money in our direction a little bit more,” Nielsen said.

Nielsen took part in a special livestreamed Reddit “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) event called “Tipping Point – Turning Science Into Solutions,” hosted by science correspondent Miles O’Brien and digital anchor and correspondent Deema Zein.

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